Arizona is home to many a tunnel, both natural and manmade. Papago Freeway Tunnel, located on Interstate 10 in Phoenix, has quite an interesting backstory. Despite being the longest tunnel in Arizona, it isn’t technically a tunnel at all—and not only that, but Phoenix residents were opposed to its construction anyway! Here’s everything you need to know about it:
Papago Freeway Tunnel, colloquially known as Deck Park Tunnel, is an underpass on Interstate 10 in downtown Phoenix.
Flickr/Alan Stark Extending from North 3rd Avenue to North 3rd Street, the tunnel sits directly below Margaret T. Hance Park.
Coming in at a whopping 2,887 feet, Papago Freeway Tunnel is the longest vehicular tunnel in Arizona.
Flickr/Alan Stark Not only that, but it’s also the 42nd longest in the entire U.S.
Interestingly enough, this “tunnel” isn’t technically a tunnel at all.
Flickr/Alan Stark According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, or ADOT, it’s a series of 19 side-by-side bridge underpasses. However, locals began using the term “tunnel,” so it was incorporated into the name.
The tunnel also has quite an interesting history.
Flickr/Alan Stark Voters struck down the original plan to build it in 1975, and it wasn’t until four years later that the proposal finally passed. The structure was opened to vehicular traffic in 1990—the open house attracted 300,000 people, despite its unpopularity in the beginning.
If you’ve ever driven through the tunnel, chances are you’ve noticed the two extra lanes in the middle.
Flickr/Alan Stark These were designed to be an express transit terminal for city buses; however, Phoenix was unable to secure enough federal funding to complete the project.
The portion of the tunnel that remains in use features 10 lanes, five going in each direction.
Flickr/Alan Stark Each tube can accommodate up to 16,000 vehicles per hour, for a total of 225,000 per day.
At Margaret T. Hance Park, you’ll see a plaque commemorating the development of the tunnel.
Flickr/Alan Stark It’s a pretty special place!
Have you ever driven through the Papago Freeway Tunnel? If so, were you aware of its interesting past? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, and check out our previous article for another man-made Arizona tunnel harboring an incredible secret.
Flickr/Alan Stark
Extending from North 3rd Avenue to North 3rd Street, the tunnel sits directly below Margaret T. Hance Park.
Not only that, but it’s also the 42nd longest in the entire U.S.
According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, or ADOT, it’s a series of 19 side-by-side bridge underpasses. However, locals began using the term “tunnel,” so it was incorporated into the name.
Flickr/Alan Stark
Voters struck down the original plan to build it in 1975, and it wasn’t until four years later that the proposal finally passed. The structure was opened to vehicular traffic in 1990—the open house attracted 300,000 people, despite its unpopularity in the beginning.
These were designed to be an express transit terminal for city buses; however, Phoenix was unable to secure enough federal funding to complete the project.
Each tube can accommodate up to 16,000 vehicles per hour, for a total of 225,000 per day.
It’s a pretty special place!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Deck Park Tunnel, Phoenix, AZ, USA
